Huge Raid Nets 21,000+ Marijuana Plants in California
No arrests but officials have executed at least seven search warrants, destroyed plants
No arrests but officials have executed at least seven search warrants, destroyed plants
On June 22, authorities in Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity Counties united to launch a days-long and county-spanning raid, busting California weed farms as part of a targeted action intended to decrease large-scale illicit Cannabis cultivation and its destructive environmental impact in the region. The remote Island Mountain area, the origin of the original Emerald Triangle and where the three counties meet, was just one region hit by raids conducted by dozens of officers.
Over 21,000 plants have been seized and destroyed, according to early figures. In addition to the pot plants, around 3,000 pounds of processed weed, fifty pounds of Cannabis concentrate, sixteen firearms and 50,000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition were found.
Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Lt. Wayne Hanson told the Eureka Times Standard that authorities "are serving warrants in our county at the same time they are serving warrants in their counties for commercial marijuana grow operations."
Concerns of environmental damage in drought-stricken California prompted the action, as large-scale pot farmers have been blamed for stealing or diverting precious water, in addition to degrading the local land. For this reason, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife was on scene observing and investigating the damage done to the local ecology, including the watershed.
Various media outlets have quoted anonymous sources suggesting that the authorities expect to find upwards of 100,000 plants.
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